My Why

What powers my practice

Throughout American history, whether in the areas of science and medicine, technology, or education, we see philanthropy stepping in to embrace potentially paradigm-shifting opportunities to advance the human condition and confront the fundamental human challenges of the day. Faith-based organizations serve a critical role in supporting philanthropy’s endeavor to better the human condition both as partners in philanthropy’s temporal work and as stewards of our society’s spiritual consciousness. It has been my great privilege for 10+ years to apply my legal skills and experience in support of the success of organizations across the philanthropic landscape who strive to cultivate humankind’s spiritual and temporal wellbeing and advance the human condition. 

Overview

David’s practice focusses on representing nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations and their founders and donors, with an emphasis on the deployment of philanthropic capital in the contexts of social enterprise, rural and urban economic development, scientific research, and domestic and cross-border support of Jewish organizations and institutions. 

David is passionate about supporting faith-based organizations, and he has represented numerous faith-based organizations across the United States in corporate governance, federal tax compliance, fiscal sponsorship (including spinoffs of fiscally sponsored projects), and general operational matters.  David also advises clients concerning the formation, operation, division, merger, and dissolution of private family foundations and associated federal tax considerations and represents tax-exempt clients in audits before the Internal Revenue Service.  

David’s broader corporate and transactional background includes advising entrepreneurs, startups, nonprofit organizations, and privately held businesses on formations and structurings, mergers and acquisitions (including asset and equity deals), corporate governance, and negotiated transactional documents.  Prior to entering private practice, David served as a law clerk to the Honorable Robert D. Martin of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Credentials

  • University of Missouri School of Law, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2015, cum laude; Missouri Law Review
  • Columbia University, Master of Science (M.S.), Nonprofit Management, 2024
  • Northwestern University School of Law, Master of Laws (LL.M.), Taxation, 2016
  • Wichita State University, Master of Arts (M.A.), History, 2012
  • Kansas State University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), History and Political Science, 2008

  • California
  • Kansas

Engagement

  • Member, American Bar Association 
    • Business Law Section, Nonprofit Organizations Committee 
  • Member, Kansas Bar Association 
    • Religion Law Section

  • Former Board of Directors, Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation 
  • Former Board of Directors, Destination Innovation 
  • Former Executive Committee Member, Wichita Committee on Foreign Relations